title: Bronchodilator, vasodilator and spasmolytic activities of methanolic extract of Myrtus communis L.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to validate some of the folkloric claims about the effectiveness of the use of a Myrtus communis L. crude methanol extract (Mc.Cr) in gastrointestinal, respiratory and vascular diseases. Mc.Cr caused complete relaxation of spontaneous and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum. It caused right ward parallel shift of calcium concentration response curves. Mc.Cr exhibited relaxant effect on CCh- and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit tracheal preparations. Furthermore, Mc.Cr caused relaxation of phenylephrine (1 μM)- and K⁺ (80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit aorta preparations. These effects were similar to verapamil, a standard calcium channel blocker. These findings could be the basis for explaining the spasmolytic, bronchodilator and vasodilator activities of the extract, through a possible calcium channel blocking activity.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. defeo@unisa.it.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Janbaz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nisa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saqib
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Imran
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zia-Ul-Haq
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Feo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D031651:Myrtus; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents